Skype for iPhone launching next week

A Skype application could be launched for the iPhone next week, reports the GigaOm blog.

The blog states: "A tipster - a very reliable one - tells me that Skype is almost ready to launch (an) iPhone version, perhaps as soon as next week".

CTIA Wireless, a mobile industry trade event, takes place in the States next week and is pegged as a possible launch pad for the service.

It's not clear how AT&T or O2, the iPhone operators in the US and UK, will react to the news. UK operators have recently been said to be unhappy about Nokia's decision to offer Skype with the N97.

Users can already get Skype for the iPhone however currently have to sign up to use third party app Fring or Truphone. However it would be the first time users would be able to access the VoIP service directly.